Kanitkar denies Delhi win against Maharashtra

New Delhi:A resolute 76 by Hrishikesh Kanitkar dashed Delhi's hopes of an outright victory in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'A' match against Maharashtra at the Jamia Milia University grounds here yesterday.

When play ended on the final day after eight mandatory overs, Kanitkar had taken Maharashtra to safety with the score reading 249 for seven.

Delhi would, however, feel satisfied as the first innings lead fetched them two points, their first in this season's Ranji campaign, and boosted their sagging morale after two bad performances against Mumbai and Bengal.

With 168 runs to spare from the first innings, the hosts went for the kill today but Kanitkar played out the entire day with determination after Dheeraj Jadhav had made a fine 45, sharing an opening partnership of 72 with Mansingh Nigde (35).

The visitors, who were all out for 208 runs in their first innings, negotiated the first session well and were 89 for one at lunch but leg-spinner Chetanya Nanda took two wickets in one over to raise delhi's hopes of a victory.

With the score reading 104 for four, Maharashtra looked to be in trouble but Kanitkar stood like a rock in Delhi's way.

The skipper anchored the innings to perfection and found able support from Dhruv Mohan (39) and Munaf Patel (30). Aakash Chopra trapped Dhruv at the team score of 171, but by then they had made sure that Delhi would have to bat again.